PB1735: ONLINE CME PROGRAM IMPROVED CLINICIANS’ ABILITY TO MANAGE PEDIATRIC ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA WITH ASPARAGINASE-BASED THERAPIES
Authors: Sarah Elizabeth Bomba, Victoria Harvey-Jones, Gill Adair, Ann Carothers, Heather P. Friedman
Journal: HemaSphere (2023)

Topic: 2. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia - Clinical Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells cannot synthesize the amino acid L-asparagine and must rely on circulating serum asparagine to sustain malignant cell growth and proliferation. As such, asparaginase, an enzyme that depletes circulating asparagine, has become an essential component of conventional chemotherapy (ChT) regimens for the treatment of pediatric ALL. Although ChT regimens containing asparaginase are associated with improved overall survival rates in pediatric ALL, most asparaginase preparations are highly immunogenic, leading to hypersensitivity reactions and other toxicities that can make management of these therapies challenging for clinicians. Due to the complexity of managing asparaginase-based therapies, many clinicians may benefit from additional education about best practices in identifying, preventing, and managing toxicities in patients with ALL receiving these therapies. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine whether an online, video-based continuing medical education (CME) activity could improve hematologist/oncologists’ knowledge, competence, and confidence in managing asparaginase-based therapies in the treatment of pediatric ALL. Methods: The activity consisted of a 30-minute online video-based expert summary of practical approaches to managing asparaginase therapies for pediatric ALL. The educational impact of the online activity was assessed with repeated pre-/post-education multiple-choice knowledge/competence assessment questions, plus a 5-point Likert scale confidence question, with participants serving as their own controls. A paired t test was conducted to assess the overall statistical significance of the correct responses and confidence change, and a McNemar test was used to assess significant levels of changes reported, with P values <.05 considered statistically significant. The online activity launched 23 June 2022; data were collected until 18 January 2023. Results: Overall, statistically significant improvements in knowledge, competence, and confidence were observed among 42% of participating hematologist/oncologists (n = 899, P <.01). Specific areas of improvement included knowledge regarding hypersensitivity reactions and other toxicities associated with asparaginase therapy (47% correct in pre-test vs 61% correct in post-test, P =.058); competence implementing asparaginase therapy in the treatment of pediatric ALL (32% correct in pre-test vs 45% correct in post-test, P =.058); and competence managing asparaginase hypersensitivity reactions and other toxicities (32% correct in pre-test vs 55% correct in post-test, P <.05). A total of 95% of hematologist/oncologists either maintained or increased their confidence in integrating asparaginase therapy in the treatment of pediatric ALL (P <.001). Summary/Conclusion: Participation in an online, video-based CME-certified educational program resulted in improvements in knowledge, competence, and confidence of hematologist/oncologists regarding the management of pediatric ALL with asparaginase-based therapies. These results have the potential to translate to improvements in clinical care and patient safety. The need for additional education to address residual gaps and further increase clinicians’ abilities in this area was also identified.Keywords: Outcome, Acute lymphoblastic leukemia